KTR Flags Irregularities in ₹2,059-Crore PM Ekta Mall Project

The proposed PM Ekta (Unity) Mall in Hyderabad has triggered a fresh political confrontation in Telangana, with BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao (KTR) alleging that the tender conditions were structured to benefit a private developer at the cost of the public exchequer.

KTR has written to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, seeking cancellation of the tender, an independent probe and a halt to further Central funding for the project. He alleged that the tender framework raises serious questions over the use of government land and public funds.

The mall is proposed on around 6.30 acres of prime government land at Raidurg, with nearly 27 lakh square feet of built-up space. KTR put the estimated project cost, excluding the land value, at ₹2,059.81 crore, and said the Centre had extended around ₹202 crore in financial assistance.

The PM Ekta Mall initiative is intended to provide a national platform for One District One Product (ODOP), GI-tagged products, handicrafts and traditional goods from across the country. States receive long-term interest-free financial assistance from the Centre for developing such projects.

KTR's principal objection centres on the proposed distribution of the built-up area. He alleged that the government would receive only around 9 lakh square feet, while the private developer would be entitled to nearly 18 lakh square feet. Questioning the arrangement, KTR asked why a private developer should receive twice the government's share in a project being developed on valuable public land with Central financial support.

He also alleged that the project's financial model could enable the private developer to benefit from the Centre's roughly ₹200-crore interest-free loan through the Telangana Trade Promotion Corporation Limited. KTR accused the Revanth Reddy government of modifying tender conditions to extend undue benefits to private interests and urged the Centre to examine the project's financial model, tender process, land valuation and allocation of commercial space.

The Opposition has also raised allegations over land allocation in the proposed Fourth City region. BRS spokesperson Manne Krishank demanded an independent inquiry into the reported allocation of land at Raviryal to a company allegedly linked to the Chief Minister's family. He questioned how land worth crores could be allotted to a company with ₹1 lakh in capital and no employees, as alleged by the BRS.